I left dinner at the Gordon Ramsey restaurant last night with two statement necklaces dripping down my clavicles, two massive pearl cocktail rings festooning my fingers and a pair of Dynasty-worthy square earrings stuffed with faux crystals and black onyx attached to my lobes.

And not a single piece cost over $10. The genius jewels were made by teen retailer Charlotte Russe, and were bestowed upon me (and other giddy fashion writers) by Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman — who won an Emmy as Patricia Field‘s wardrobe assistant for Sex and the City.

The dinner, which was thrown to introduce the local fashion press to CR’s burgeoning high-fashion quotient (at the hands of freelance style consultant Daman), was part social hour, part serious shop.

Writers and editors fawned over the table of jewels and trios of mannequins wearing Daman-styled looks that were recently shot for the retailer’s holiday campaign.

Daman, who was only in town for a hot second, said the collab began a year ago when the company contacted him to help elevate its fashion profile.

“They understood that I can do what I do on Gossip Girl, but I can do it at a lower price-point, too,” said the stylist and costume designer, who later informed me I “had to have” a funky silver-toned necklace with long tentacle-y strands running down, waterfall-style, into my shirt. Were said strands supposed to inhabit the great divide? Who knows. I wasn’t arguing.

–Emili Vesilind

Photo: No, it’s not the inside of Bea Arthur’s jewelry box. It’s Charlotte Russe’ cheap ‘n chic new baubles.